Ultimately...the halves.

[TYGA]

There is a scarcity of good halves in the NRL even the Storm can’t get it right. Anyone who thinks a battling side can move on from Brooks and find a better option is wrong. Storm, Broncos, Bulldogs, Titans, Sharks, Dragons are all battling.

I’m a bigger believer in getting a better overall squad to compensate as we are no chance of signing marquee halves

 

[hobbo1]

I don't actually know what our plan is out there. It seems like it's pretty one out until second phase and at that stage it becomes "do whatever you want". They look disjointed and pointless. It doesn't seem to me like Madge has the creativity to win with this team. I actually think the team aren't that bad, nor do I think Madge is a bad coach. I don't think the roster is well suited to him.

The team is bad ... but you are correct in saying that the team isn’t suited to Madge ..
Madge likes military precision...
Our mob can only play off the cuff , wing it razzle dazzle style

 

[facepalmer]

Yes to win the way Madge likes to, with simple game plans, efficient usage of the ball and hard defense, you need big strong athletes basically everywhere. Prototypes in every position. We're far from that. For us to compete with the roster we have we'd need a Sheens type. At this stage though we have to get out by going through, and Madge has started building from the bottom up to turn the roster over to be the way he wants it to be.

 

[tigerballs]

Your on a role tonight Ellery

I just feel like it is time to face facts.

I am a huge Brooks fan...'Brooks for NSW' was my call a while ago...


But...it just aint gonna happen.

I am like the race horse owner who looks at the form and says out loud "16 starts...2 wins...one fourth...13 losses at group level" and has that sudden realisation that I do not own a Cox Plate winner...***

***Apologies for the racing references 🙂

What Madge needs is the freedom to electrocute ( non lethal ) certain non performers. Like tonight, he says to Brooks " that's three shit passes and four kicks for nothing, 120 volts for 30 seconds, applied to the sensitive parts of the groin area". Old school still has it's place in the modern game.

 

[jirskyr]

I guarantee halves don't change next week.

 

[jadtiger]

Ever since Benji returned, it's been the same story
1. Plays well, everyone says "he's still got it".
2. Has a stinker or two in a row, everyone says "he's passed it".
3. One or two weeks after the last stinker, he has another blinder and everyone's riding him hard again.

The process is iterative and neverending. Even at this stage of his career, Benji still has those awful performances where he looks lost, like he has no idea what he's doing. Then he has those great games where he looks cool and in control. Those ones make us forget about the stinkers.

Benji is the most experienced player on the field and fails far more times than he achieves,he will always have great moments but that is all.We need a player who is better defensively and reliable in play for 80 minutes.Madge needs to bite the bullet and leave him out of the squad.

 

[Telltails]

Both the halves had ordinary games but I thought our forwards had very little go forward. Poor across the park but we still should have won. Attitude and dumb errors lost us that game. But unlike others don't think there was much between the quality of the two squads. They were always a chance to beat us for that reason alone imo.

 

[tonza]

Ever since Benji returned, it's been the same story
1. Plays well, everyone says "he's still got it".
2. Has a stinker or two in a row, everyone says "he's passed it".
3. One or two weeks after the last stinker, he has another blinder and everyone's riding him hard again.

The process is iterative and neverending. Even at this stage of his career, Benji still has those awful performances where he looks lost, like he has no idea what he's doing. Then he has those great games where he looks cool and in control. Those ones make us forget about the stinkers.

Benji cross field running was terrible, made worst by the fact no one gave him options.

 

[GNR4LIFE]

Benji still came up with what should have been a match winning play. Makes you wonder would he be copping it if we fielded the short kick off.

 

[hobbo1]

Benji still came up with what should have been a match winning play. Makes you wonder would he be copping it if we fielded the short kick off.

Life’s sweet in hindsight

 

[851]

Worst decision Brooks made in his career was re-signing when the other 3 left.

Could have said the same about the club on that one too.
If by some miracle Walters starts in the halves, Benji will be on the bench, a sideways move at best, Grant can play 80 pick another forward on the bench, not a 35 year old erratic half.

 

[851]

Ever since Benji returned, it's been the same story
1. Plays well, everyone says "he's still got it".
2. Has a stinker or two in a row, everyone says "he's passed it".
3. One or two weeks after the last stinker, he has another blinder and everyone's riding him hard again.

The process is iterative and neverending. Even at this stage of his career, Benji still has those awful performances where he looks lost, like he has no idea what he's doing. Then he has those great games where he looks cool and in control. Those ones make us forget about the stinkers.

Benji is the most experienced player on the field and fails far more times than he achieves,he will always have great moments but that is all.We need a player who is better defensively and reliable in play for 80 minutes.Madge needs to bite the bullet and leave him out of the squad.

Welcome aboard mate, I have been saying this for 18 months

 

[ElleryHanley]

I think we need to be pretty blunt about this...the Titans had half a team who had not played all year and were down 10.

The halves gave them multiple piggy backs up field...7 tackle sets.

It was their ONLY way back into the game...easy trips back up field. Any halves with even basic footy IQ would have pinned them in their corners and made them work.

There is no real defending how bad our halves kicking was. Both are veterans.

 

[Celtic_Tiger]

Ash Taylor has been a huge disappointment for the Titans but yesterday at 12-0 down he produced a 40/20 which got them back into the game. He doesn't make that play we win comfortably. When was the last time Brooks came up with a match turning moment like that.

 

[Cairnstigers]

Your on a role tonight Ellery

I just feel like it is time to face facts.

I am a huge Brooks fan...'Brooks for NSW' was my call a while ago...


But...it just aint gonna happen.

I am like the race horse owner who looks at the form and says out loud "16 starts...2 wins...one fourth...13 losses at group level" and has that sudden realisation that I do not own a Cox Plate winner...***

***Apologies for the racing references 🙂

What Madge needs is the freedom to electrocute ( non lethal ) certain non performers. Like tonight, he says to Brooks " that's three shit passes and four kicks for nothing, 120 volts for 30 seconds, applied to the sensitive parts of the groin area". Old school still has it's place in the modern game.

The Tommy face slap and Bellamy barrage would work better

 

[TheDaBoss]

That fogharty fella went alright

 

[jirskyr]

Ash Taylor has been a huge disappointment for the Titans but yesterday at 12-0 down he produced a 40/20 which got them back into the game. He doesn't make that play we win comfortably. When was the last time Brooks came up with a match turning moment like that.

Last week when he put Harry Grant over.

 

[happy_tiger]

That fogharty fella went alright

He's OK but just lacks that yard of pace you need as a half ....I use a bloke some of you may remember ...Kevin Langer ..Alfie's older brother as an example

He was as skilful as Alfie ...but just lacked that yard of pace to take the next step .....Steve Georgallis ....Jason Alchin ....all in the same mould

 

[bigsiro]

I must be mad... I thought Benji wasn't bad.
Sure he had that dud kick (plus he should not be goal-kicking), but he set up tries and every time he touched the ball something was on. He wouldn't be the half I'd hook.

I really think Reynolds should be playing. I think we forget how good he can be, what a spark he is and how infectious his commitment can be.
We need a bit of mongrel and he can inspire. At his best he's an origin player. I don't get why he isn't automatic selection.

 

[Celtic_Tiger]

Ash Taylor has been a huge disappointment for the Titans but yesterday at 12-0 down he produced a 40/20 which got them back into the game. He doesn't make that play we win comfortably. When was the last time Brooks came up with a match turning moment like that.

Last week when he put Harry Grant over.

Sorry disagree, nowhere near comparable incidents.